Rachel Hampton

Somebody slap me! March 25, 2010

Do you ever feel sometimes like you really don’t GET it?  God is crazy about me. He created me and no one like me. He’s personal and understands who I am because I’m his daughter. I’m talking about the creator of the universe here. And not only that, His love for me and you is so intense that He sacrificed His son for us. Do you get it? I get it. In my head. Sometimes it really just doesn’t translate to my heart. I have heard it for as long as I can remember and I know it to be true, but the truth is not overwhelming me as I know it should. It’s a pretty big deal! I miss the place where the knowledge of that love just knocks me off my feet. That it’s mindboggling. It’s not. I mean it is but it’s not. Am I making sense? I want someone to slap me out of this laissez faire (look it up) acceptance of the facts and see it for what it truly is….unthinkable. Am I alone in this? While I am so thankful for the Christian home and church I grew up in, they can also be a breeding ground for complacency.  If you let them. And, God help me, I do not want to be that lukewarm person spoken of in the Bible. Serving on the mission field does not automatically make you a perfect Christian. You have the same struggles, and additional ones. I want to be overwhelmed by God’s love for me. I’m thankful, grateful, blessed by it…but right now, not flummoxed (Ha! Sorry if that killed the mood but I am so glad I got to use that random word in a post). My passion for God and love for Him is not failing, but I want more. So prayers would be appreciated.

God, break me of my simple acceptance of truth and make it appear new and amazing. As break-takingly beautiful of a sacrifice as it was. Give me new eyes to see your love for me.

Pay attention, class! March 22, 2010

Here are some lessons I have learned recently:

1. If there is Dr. Pepper in Manila it has so far eluded me. I am however, if anything, persistent so it won’t escape my clutches for long.

2. There is a taxi conspiracy. Everyday when I leave work, the one taxi that is empty at 5:15ish cruises by me right before I am in view. Oh yes, I can see it…but it cannot see me. It’s a cruel little game but I just expect it now. Right before I am to the main street…there it goes….everytime.

3. I need to be more careful in public transportation. While passing money from another passenger to the driver, I accidentally yanked out some hair of the lady beside me. I apologized. She said nothing. She was probably thinking “stupid white girl” Haha

4. “When in Rome” is a waste of 180 pesos

5. I’m still not a morning person.

6. Walking by pirated DVD stands almost everyday is seriously wearing on my will power

7. My Tagalog is not growing much but my desire to learn it is!

8. Manila. Still having a great time!

Go Clean Your Room March 12, 2010

Have you heard of Francis Chan? My first introduction to him was through a book he wrote entitled “Crazy Love”. Well, I decided when I moved to Manila that I would not get cable, but would use that time more wisely by spending time with God. Not easy; my mom passed down a strong TV gene. While looking for podcasts to download and listen to, I came across Cornerstone where Francis Chan is pastor. Tonight I was listening to one of his sermons and wanted to share some thoughts.

Basically, Francis (we’re on a first-name basis now) was talking about how church members are so often like the people God speaks of in Ezekiel 33. They will come to church, listen to sermons, discuss it, and then leave and do nothing with it. There is too much of a desire to live selfishly and continue fulfilling their wants.

Imagine this: you are 10 years old again. Since this is pretend, you can imagine yourself cheek-pinchingly adorable and not going through the awkward stage that inevitably many of us were at that age. Your parents command you to go clean your room. You come back an hour later and say “Ok, I prayed about it. In fact, I got together with a bunch of my friends and we discussed how I could do it. What is most effective, what it would look like when I’m done, what the best method would be. And in fact, in my heart, I really desire to clean my room. I know that I should and want to. But I just didn’t.”  What do you think your parent would say? Or DO. The phrase “young lady” would probably be in there somewhere for me.

But think about it, that is what we do with the commands God gives us. Specifically, Francis was talking about making disciples. Some of the first words we hear Jesus speak are “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Then his last words command us to go and make disciples of all nations. I’d say He thinks it’s pretty important. We hear this and we pray about it. We get together in Bible studies and discussion groups with Christian friends. We agree something should be done and even talk about how to do it. But do we follow through? Francis said one of his fears is being surrounded by people in church who have been going for years and could not name one person they have discipled. Who are you discipling? Who am I? Let’s not be children who just listen to our father’s commands, but children who DO them.

Adjusting March 9, 2010

Life with God is never boring. I know that for a fact. Sometimes I might wish for a little “boring”, but if I had very much of it, I’d be back to wanting excitement again.  I’m kind of in an in-between stage right now. Life in Manila is definitely not boring. I am out of my element and experiencing new things regularly. I’m surrounded by people that look very different than me (though I do spot a whitey almost daily) and also speak a different language. None of that bothers me. What I want is to find my niche. Meet those people who are God-ordained to become my friends this year (Heaven help them). The people I text on the weekends to find out what we’re doing for fun. Those that I invite over for dinner and a game night. Close friends I can pray with and talk to about what God is teaching me.  I know I have that last thing with friends that aren’t here, but I’d like some face-to-face conversations about that as well. From people that live in the same place I do. I’ve made some work friends since arriving and reconnected with people I met last March when Doulos was here, but it’s different. I feel like they have their lives here and foundations built that maybe I don’t quite fit into.  I’m the new girl looking for my place to fit in. And that’s ok. It doesn’t depress me, but it does make me feel a bit bored sometimes at night. And I know time will cure the issue. I look forward to finding a church, joining a small group, and getting involved in ministry that will open up more doors to get to know people. Of course that’s not why I want to do those things, but it’ll be a pretty nice bonus.  Majority of people here are very nice and friendly. In fact, I have an amazing neighbor who is always checking up on me and making sure I’m doing ok.  I am also encountering the battle between being a good witness/showing love to non-Christians and not participating in their lifestyle. It’s a fine line and one I want to be very careful about. If someone asks me to go out, how can I constantly tell them ‘no’, knowing where they’re going but make them understand I’m not judging them but choose not to live that way? Will they give me the time of day later in a different environment if I’m always turning them down to go out? Just please continue your prayers regarding these issues.

Speaking of church…at least I was earlier…I’ve visited a couple different ones since arriving. My third I really enjoyed and I went back this past week as well. Now I know I probably should try a few more before I decide on one, but I really like Victory. The worship was led by different people the two weeks I went, but was very genuine both times.

In other news…*whispers* Wanna hear something exciting? I found an apartment! That’s right and it’s perfect! In the three weeks I was looking, there wasn’t one that I really liked (at least not one that was in my price range). I was so grateful to find one online that I thought looked really nice and scheduled a visit. Less than a week later, I moved in!  Many of the places here say they are furnished but are usually filled with leftover furniture that doesn’t match or is half-full but still wants to use the title of “furnished”. My place is actually furnished and furnished beautifully! The owner took care and made the place look like a home and somewhere you would want to live. The items I needed to buy were pretty minimal. Not only that but it is close to work, cheaper than most things I saw, and in a nice, quiet neighborhood. I felt God hand-picked this for me. And the owner is AMAZING. She actually took time out of her schedule to come and pick me up in her van and move me and my stuff in. And I’ve already had a visitor! My friend Ruby from the Doulos has stayed with me a few nights. I will try to post photos of my place soon so you can see where I’m spending probably way too much of my time.

Work also is going great! The office is filled with Mac users (yay!) who, on top of that, are pretty cool individuals. I’m excited to get started on the work I will be doing. Some of you probably have no idea what it is I am doing. How about I save that for another post? My fingers are begging for a rest. I’d better oblige, I’m pretty low on friends right now and I’m fond of those guys…:)